Close out the season with Ozomatli

BRECKENRIDGE – Skiers, snowboarders, telemarkers and snowriders of all kinds. Tourists, townsfolk and second homeowners. Adults, college students and kids. Whoever you are, know you’re welcome at the Ozomatli show in downtown Breckenridge Saturday.”We’ve always expressed a notion of inclusion, instead of exclusion,” said Ulises Bella, who plays clarinet, saxophone and sings for Ozomatli. “In a weird way it’s the (differences) that bring us together as a people.”Ozomatli, a Los Angeles-based band with hip-hop and Latin styles, recently won the Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album with their latest release, “Street Signs.”Bella said the achievement is really just the icing on the cake.

“To be where we are – together this long, still making music. Making a living making music is the main thing,” he said.The band is currently working on their next album, expected to be out this fall. Bella said with the recent radio play success of their single, “Who Discovered America,” they’ll be adding more radio-friendly tunes to their upcoming work. He said there will also be more English-language songs than on any previous recording. Ozomatli is known for using multiple styles of music in their sound and Bella said the new album won’t disappoint. Highlights include a Chinese soloist musician as well as dipping into reggaeton – a genre popular with Latin youth.”Our main objective as a band is to bring our music and our band to a bigger level – build a movement,” Bella said. The multi-racial crew of musicians is also known for its political enthusiasm.

“What’s going on in the world is very tumultuous, especially with foreign policy, Iraq and Iran, and immigration,” he said. Bella said the band tries to support the causes they feel are right.Ozomatli plays a free show Saturday at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge at 4 p.m. West 8 Five will get the crowd warmed up at 3 p.m.Free Concert